Shower tiles are, perhaps, the most convenient surface for cleaning. They are durable, and all you need to do to clean them is get a cleaning agent and scrub them.
However, with time, the scrubbing can lead to wearing, which can result in permanent damage. What’s more, scrubbing is a tiresome and difficult job that not everyone has the time or the strength for.
If you want your tiles to look shiny and new but last you a long time, you will have to find a way to clean them that does not require scrubbing at all. Luckily, we are here to help you. From baking soda to vinegar, here are the most effective ways to clean your shower tiles without scrubbing them.
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1. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a substance found in most homes. You can use it as an antiseptic or a bleaching agent, and it can be quite potent if it is highly concentrated. As such, it can help you clean even the most stubborn stains and remove mold and mildew from your tiles.
Apart from being great for cleaning tiles, this solution is also affordable. In fact, in-store bought cleaners are often twice as expensive, even though they achieve the same effects.
If you want to use hydrogen peroxide to clean mold and mildew on your shower tiles, mix it with water in a 2:1 ratio. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and spray it all over your tiles. Make sure you pay special attention to the places where the mold has appeared. Then, leave it to sit for around 30 minutes.
After the half-hour has passed, use your shower to rinse the tiles. Spend the most time going over the places where the mold was most prominent, and use a soft sponge to remove any layers if necessary. The sponge will not damage the tiles at all, and the hydrogen peroxide will make removing the mold easy. Thus, no scrubbing will be necessary.
If you are dealing with persistent grout stains, you can mix the hydrogen peroxide with baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. You will get a thick paste that you should lather on all stains on the tiles. Leave it to sit for an hour or so, and then rinse it thoroughly. Your tiles will look shiny and new, and the stains will be history.
2. Use Vinegar and Dishwashing Detergent
Vinegar is another natural cleaning agent available in the vast majority of homes. It has a high acidity, which makes it great for cleaning most stains and dirt that accumulate on shower tiles. And since the acid in it is so strong, you won’t need to scrub the tiles at all.
However, you shouldn’t use vinegar on its own. For one, the smell is not pleasant to some people. What’s more, it will work much better if you mix it with another cleaning product. You can go for soap, but the best solution is to combine the vinegar with any dishwashing detergent you have at home.
Mix the two in equal amounts, and fill a spray bottle with the liquid. Then, cover all the tiles with the mixture, and pay special attention to any stains. Leave your shower to sit for at least an hour so that the vinegar can work its magic. Finally, rinse the tiles with cold water, and enjoy the sight of your shiny and stainless tiles.
3. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda can be used for cleaning most surfaces. Not only is it great at removing persistent stains, but it also helps eliminate foul odors. This quality can come in handy when it comes to cleaning your shower tiles, especially for the grouts.
If you want an efficient way to clean soap scum and grout stains, mix water and baking soda so that you get a thick paste. Apply the paste to all the areas you want, and be generous. The more paste you apply, the better it will clean your tiles.
After you have applied the baking soda mixture, pour a few drops of vinegar on the paste and let it sit for at least one hour. As soon as the vinegar hits the paste, you’ll see little bubbles on the surface. That is a good sign, and it simply means that the two substances are reacting to each other.
Your tiles will be ready for cleaning when the paste stops bubbling. It should take about an hour. However, if it is still bubbling after that time, leave it for a bit longer. Once it is ready, rinse it with cold water, and make sure you wash away every bit of the mixture.
You should repeat this cleaning process at least once a month. That way, your tiles will look great, and you’ll get rid of soap scum easily every time.
4. Use Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide
This solution is something you should use when everything else has failed you. If the stains on your tiles are so stubborn nothing can get them out, and you are seriously considering just scrubbing at them, follow the steps below.
First, pour Borax onto your tiles. Be generous, as that will ensure it can truly clean your tiles well. Now, the next step is crucial. You must leave the Borax to do its work for a minimum of five hours.
So, go about your day, run your errands, and let your shower sit for as long as you can. The alkaloid nature of Borax will ensure it seeps into every stain and cleans your tiles thoroughly.
After at least five hours have passed, pour pure hydrogen peroxide onto the tiles and over the Borax. Let it sit for another two hours before rinsing. Use warm water to wash everything away, and make sure you get everything so that no Borax is left on the tiles.
When you finish rinsing, you will see that your tiles are clean and shiny again. And the best part is, you won’t have to scrub at them at all.
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5. Use Baking Soda and Bleach
A mixture of bleach and baking soda can be a potent cleaning solution, especially for tiles. You should mix the two so that you get a thick paste. Combine the substances in a 2:1 ratio. It is important that you do not use too much bleach if you have porcelain tiles, as it could damage the protective coating on them.
Once your paste is ready, apply it to all stains and grout lines. Leave it to sit until the paste is fully dry. Then, use cold water to rinse it all off. The mixture should come off easily but if it doesn’t, use a soft sponge to remove any residue.
Remember to always use gloves and a face mask when working with bleach. Inhaling it can be dangerous even in small amounts, especially in confined spaces such as bathrooms.
6. Use Clorox and Hot Water
As you probably already know, Clorox is a rather harsh cleaning agent. It should be your choice only if most other things have failed. It is great for treating tiles that haven’t been cleaned in months and years, where the stains are old and almost impossible to remove.
Due to its strength, you should not use Clorox regularly. It should be reserved for really dirty tiles or perhaps for an annual deep-cleaning session. Try not to use it more often than two times a year.
The most important thing when it comes to using Clorox on your tiles is to never use it on its own. Its potency will damage your tiles, especially if you leave it to sit for too long. Instead of using it as it is, you should mix it with hot water.
Mix a cup of Clorox with 4 cups of water and stir until everything combines fully. Then, pour the mixture on your tiles and let it sit for about half an hour. It will take care of all stains and remove mold and mildew. In addition, it will ensure the mold and mildew don’t come back in the future.
Again, be super careful when handling Clorox. Always use gloves, a mask, and any other protective equipment you can get your hands on.
7. Use Alkaline Cleaners
If you need something for cleaning grout dirt and you don’t want to make it yourself, you can buy any alkaline cleaner out there. These store-bought formulas will work wonders, and you won’t have to spend a fortune on them.
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As every product has its own instructions for safe use, it is best that you follow the ones you get with the cleaner you buy. Remember to also wear protective equipment, as these solutions can be quite harsh.
8. Use a Magic Eraser
If your shower tiles have stains on them and you don’t want to use anything too harsh to clean them, you can try out a magic eraser. Rub it gently on any surface that is stained or covered with mildew. Leave it to rest for up to ten minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
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You should bear in mind that a magic eraser will not work on severe stains or on tiles that haven’t been cleaned in a while. This solution is only for everyday stains you simply have no energy to scrub at. If the stains are older, use one of the solutions above.
9. Use a Phosphoric Acid Cleaner
Phosphoric acid cleaners are another handy solution you can try if you want to clean your tiles effectively without any scrubbing. These cleaners are quite harsh, but they will help you clean even the nastiest of stains.
The great thing about these types of cleaners is that most of them are suitable for different surfaces. Thus, you won’t have to worry about the cleaner damaging your tiles or the protective coating over them. You can use these cleaners regularly, as opposed to those based on bleach.
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Still, bear in mind that the cleaner should not come in contact with your skin at all. It could cause irritation at the very least and severe burns in the worst-case scenario. So, use gloves and make sure you protect yourself as much as possible.
Most cleaners based on phosphoric acid work the same. You leave them to sit on the tiles for a few minutes and then rinse with cold water. Just make sure you follow the instructions you get with the cleaner you go for, and you should be fine.
10. Use a Steam Cleaner
If you want to clean your shower without using any chemicals, homemade or otherwise, getting a steam cleaner is the best way to go. This handy appliance heats up water and releases high-pressure steam. If you use it on your grouts or the tiles in general, it will turn all the dirt into a wet smudge you can just wipe away or rinse off.
You will have to clean the tiles stain by stain, which might take some time. However, the steam will not damage the tiles at all. Moreover, just holding the cleaner and watching as it does its magic is much easier than scrubbing at the tiles for hours.
When buying the cleaner, it is best to buy one that comes with a nozzle and parts for treating different surfaces. That way, you’ll be able to use it for much more than just cleaning your shower tiles.
Of course, this solution is not the most affordable one. Steam cleaners can be quite expensive, so it is not something everyone can just buy. But if you have the means to do so, go for it. You’ll get a great solution for cleaning your tiles that will last for years to come.
To Conclude
As you have read, there are many ways to clean your shower tiles without having to scrub them. You can use homemade solutions that include vinegar or baking soda, or opt for harsher store-bought chemicals such as bleach. Alternatively, you can buy a steam cleaner and solve the problem once and for all.
Hopefully, the list above helps you find the solution best suited to your needs and preferences. Good luck, and happy cleaning!
